Oshoba: High-Stake Takeover, Record and Expectations

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

In the bustling corridors of Nigeria’s busiest port, a new chapter is unfolding under the leadership of Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, the newly appointed Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command.

With a reputation for excellence and a track record of strategic postings, Oshoba’s arrival signals a high-stakes transition — one that blends legacy with ambition, and vision with execution.

Before his appointment to Apapa, Oshoba had already carved a distinguished path through the Nigeria Customs Service. Not only did he serve as Comptroller Special Duty at the Headquarters, he is also on record to have served as Comptroller CUI at the Headquarters, roles that demanded precision, discretion, and strategic oversight.

His operational grounding spans years of service at various stations, units and commands, including a formative stint at Idiroko, where he honed his enforcement and border management skills as a middle-ranking officer.

These experiences have shaped a leader who understands both the tactical and strategic dimensions of customs operations—an asset now being deployed at Apapa, the nerve center of Nigeria’s maritime trade.

Oshoba’s takeover was anything but quiet. Just two days into his tenure, the Apapa Command recorded ₦20 billion daily revenue; a feat that sent ripples through the port community and beyond. Analysts say it wasn’t just a number but a declaration.

Perhaps, it was a signal that Oshoba was not there to coast on past glories but to elevate performance and drive results, as subsequent actions were wont to prove.

In the weeks that followed, Oshoba embarked on an inspection tour of key operational infrastructure, notably the installation sites for three brand-new high-throughput scanners. These scanners, capable of examining 200 containers per hour, represent a quantum leap in cargo inspection efficiency; he says.

Strategically positioned at the quay side, the scanners will enable non-intrusive, high-tech inspections, reducing delays and enhancing compliance. Oshoba described the location as a “masterstroke,” and emphasized the importance of sincere declarations by port users, warning that concealments and false documentation would be exposed by the new technology.

Already, there are indications that Oshoba’s leadership is deeply aligned with the vision of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who has championed customs modernization. From the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) to Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), Oshoba is not just implementing reforms but accelerating them.

His three-pronged strategy—revenue excellence, enforcement depth, and stakeholder engagement is already reshaping Apapa’s operational landscape. Close watchers of industry say intelligence-driven operations, enhanced ICT tools, and a commitment to transparency are the pillars of his approach.

As the proverb goes, “Morning shows the day.” Oshoba’s early moves reflect a leader with appetite and clarity, determined to surpass the historic benchmarks set by his predecessor, ACG Babatunde Olomu. With Olomu’s tenure marked by record-breaking revenue and enforcement milestones, Oshoba inherits a legacy of excellence—and appears poised to elevate it further.

In a port where every container counts and every second matters, Oshoba’s leadership is already making waves. His focus, foresight, and operational rigour suggest that Apapa Command is not just in safe hands—it’s in ambitious hands.

As stakeholders watch closely, one thing is clear: Oshoba is not just meeting expectations—he’s redefining them as his story of ‘early to bed-early to rise’ unfolds.